Posted on 03/22/2008 2:17:09 PM PDT by kellynla
Italy's most prominent Muslim commentator is converting to Catholicism by being baptized by the pope at an Easter vigil, the Vatican announced Saturday.
Magdi Allam is the deputy editor of the Corriere della Sera newspaper and writes often on Muslim and Arab affairs. Born in Egypt, he has described himself as a non-practicing Muslim. He has long spoken out against extremism and in favor of tolerance.
Pope Benedict XVI was baptizing seven adults during the service, which marks the period between Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said of Allam before the service that anyone who chooses to become a Catholic of his or her own free will has the right to receive the sacrament.
Lombardi said the pope administers the sacrament "without making any 'difference of people,' that is, considering all equally important before the love of God and welcoming all in the community of the Church."
Benedict opened the lengthy nighttime service by blessing a white candle, which he then carried down the main aisle of the darkened St. Peter's Basilica. Slowly, the pews began to light up as his flame was shared with candles carried by the faithful, until the whole basilica twinkled and the main lights came on.
The baptism rite during the vigil service is part of the joyful renewal Christians associate with Easter.
There is no overarching Muslim law on conversion. But under a widespread interpretation of Islamic legal doctrine, converting from Islam is apostasy and punishable by death — though killings are rare.
Egypt's highest Islamic cleric, the Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, wrote last year against the killing of apostates, saying there is no worldly retribution for Muslims who abandon their religion and that punishment would come in the afterlife.
Osama bin Laden accused the pope in a new audio message posted Wednesday of playing a "large and lengthy role" in a "new Crusade" against Islam that included the publication of drawings of the Prophet Muhammad that many Muslims found insulting.
Lombardi said Thursday that bin Laden's accusation was baseless. He said Benedict repeatedly criticized the Muhammad cartoons, first published in some European newspapers in 2006 and republished by Danish papers in February.
Yeah, but we don’t have many slammers postin’ to threads lol
Iscool would rather have a man stay an atheist or a Muslim than become a Catholic Christian. That’s how deeply his bigotry goes.
I don't believe in hyphenated Americans nor do I believe in hyphenated Christians...I don't believe Jesus does either...
You wrote:
“I don’t believe in hyphenated Americans nor do I believe in hyphenated Christians...”
I didn’t use a hyphen. And if your past posts are any road map I do not even know if you think Catholics are Christians - hence, Catholic Christians.
“I don’t believe Jesus does either...”
He doesn’t. But apparently you do. Either welcome this guy as a Christian or admit you don’t believe he is one. Don’t use the cheap comments like this:”There are thousands of former Arab muzlims who have accepted the free gift of Salvation offered by Jesus Christ (for real)...” If you have proof this man is dissembling post it. Otherwise accept what it is - a conversion.
I have no doubt this guy converted to Catholicism...I have no idea whether he converted to Christianity...
I'm convinced there are many Christians in the Catholic church...I'm also convinced not all Catholics are Christians, just as not all Protestants are Christians...
The vast majority of Christians believe in the "Baptism into Faith" which was taught to us by example when Jesus insisted on being Baptised by John the Baptist.
You wrote:
“I have no doubt this guy converted to Catholicism...I have no idea whether he converted to Christianity...”
There you go again using hyphenated like expressions. Catholicism IS Christianity. Again, I posted an article link to you that shows he has faith in Christ. You ignore that.
“I’m convinced there are many Christians in the Catholic church...I’m also convinced not all Catholics are Christians, just as not all Protestants are Christians...”
This guy, by all accounts, is a Christian. Either believe it or post evidence to the contrary.
Testimony?
Read the last line of this article:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990873/posts
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